McGary Audio

Essential Sound

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Benchmark Media has introduced a new D/A converter, the DAC2 HGC, that utilizes the latest ESS Saber-32 chip and a custom analog/digital hybrid volume control. The new DAC also can play native DSD audio files from various software-based players now on the market. The Everything Audio Network already has a sample for testing and a full, subjective review will be posted within a few days.

Priced at $1,995 and available for purchase Oct. 19, the DAC2 HGC features Hybrid Gain Control integrated analog and digital volume controls, High-Headroom DSP, and Benchmark’s noted UltraLock2™ Jitter Attenuation System. The DAC2 HGC supports USB audio playback through its Multi-Mode Asynchronous USB Audio System, and it can be remotely triggered by companion audio devices for integrated operation. Another highlight is the separate word length and sample rate indicators, which are so important when playing back computer audio files.

“The order of priority for Benchmark is high-resolution sound, high-quality computer playback, jitter elimination, and a rich feature set,” said John Siau, director of engineering and VP of Benchmark. “I am proud to say that the DAC2 HGC has excelled in every one of its priorities. This is the best Benchmark digital-to-analog converter to date.”

Besides the major step up in audio performance, the DAC2 has lots of connectivity, including SPDIF, TOSlink and USB inputs, analog inputs, digital pass-through, balanced XLR analog outputs, and two stereo headphone jacks. Other features include polarity switch, audio mute, motorized volume operation with remote and class-A headphone amplifier.

At EAN, we are excited about the DAC2’s DSD native playback, which we have confirmed with Pure Music and Audirvana, and the fact that Benchmark has switched to the highly-regarded ESS Saber-32 DAC chip.

At EAN, we are excited about the DAC2’s DSD native playback, which we have confirmed with Pure Music and Audirvana, and the fact that Benchmark has switched to the highly-regarded ESS Saber-32 DAC chip, utilizing four balanced 32-bit D/A converters that are summed together for each balanced output. The DAC2 HGC’s D/A is implemented in a custom DAC system that offers more resolution and much better specs than the old DAC1 (measured signal to noise is close to 130 dB, according to Siau).